Juniper Springs 7.3 miles 1262.4 total
68 degrees, overcast
Put in 9:40, take out 12:30
2 hr 50 min, Average Speed 2.6mph, Max Speed 8.3 mph
(4th overall on Juniper springs)
We cleaned up the campsite in record time and headed to Juniper Springs. After unloading the kayaks, Scotty took the truck to the takeout and then got a ride back to Juniper Springs with one of the rangers. We ran down the boardwalk with our kayaks on carts in hopes of beating a large crowd that was there. This is spring break week and once again we noticed a crowd of people here. Attendant said that today an usually large crowd due to Easter week, spring break and poor beach quality.
Juniper Springs was as beautiful as we had remembered it. It almost feels like a amusement park ride as it twists and turns and there’s beautiful scenery on both sides of the river. This creek is narrow the whole way and our 12 foot kayaks are almost too long for this run. We had to maneuver our paddles by holding them upright or right in front of us. At some points, if we held them out side to side, we’d hit the trees on the banks! We didn’t feel like we were paddling fast, but we did pass four different groups of paddlers. (The last time we were on this creek, I'm pretty sure we didn't see anybody!) There are very few fish in this creek and for most of the way the creek is only a few feet deep and 6 feet wide with crystal clear water. I could hear birds as we paddled down, but never did see any. There is one section of the creek with a drop off but we were through it in about five seconds so I couldn’t say that it was even a little challenge. After hearing some screams in front of us, we did paddle past one alligator probably about 3 feet from our kayaks. I probably could have hit him on the back with my paddle, but wisely chose not to do that! A rare occurrence today, we forgot our Olympus water camera. Fortunately, Scotty had his phone in a dry bag!
We finished the run in two hours and 50 minutes, although the park claims it takes 3 1/2 hours to finish this run (that’s probably average for their average tourist). We loaded our kayaks and decided we were done kayaking for the spring break. Off to Valdosta Georgia.
Juniper Springs was as beautiful as we had remembered it. It almost feels like a amusement park ride as it twists and turns and there’s beautiful scenery on both sides of the river. This creek is narrow the whole way and our 12 foot kayaks are almost too long for this run. We had to maneuver our paddles by holding them upright or right in front of us. At some points, if we held them out side to side, we’d hit the trees on the banks! We didn’t feel like we were paddling fast, but we did pass four different groups of paddlers. (The last time we were on this creek, I'm pretty sure we didn't see anybody!) There are very few fish in this creek and for most of the way the creek is only a few feet deep and 6 feet wide with crystal clear water. I could hear birds as we paddled down, but never did see any. There is one section of the creek with a drop off but we were through it in about five seconds so I couldn’t say that it was even a little challenge. After hearing some screams in front of us, we did paddle past one alligator probably about 3 feet from our kayaks. I probably could have hit him on the back with my paddle, but wisely chose not to do that! A rare occurrence today, we forgot our Olympus water camera. Fortunately, Scotty had his phone in a dry bag!
We finished the run in two hours and 50 minutes, although the park claims it takes 3 1/2 hours to finish this run (that’s probably average for their average tourist). We loaded our kayaks and decided we were done kayaking for the spring break. Off to Valdosta Georgia.
